Non-renewable resource
Non-renewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished within a short period of time on a human scale. These resources are consumed faster than nature can create them. They include fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, and minerals like gold, silver, and iron.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Non-renewable resources are formed naturally over a span of millions of years. The process of formation involves the decomposition of plants and animals and their conversion into these resources under extreme heat and pressure. This slow process of formation makes them non-renewable as their rate of consumption is much higher than their rate of formation.
Types of Non-renewable Resources[edit | edit source]
Non-renewable resources can be categorized into two types: Fossil fuels and Nuclear fuels.
Fossil Fuels[edit | edit source]
Fossil fuels are derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals. They are primarily used for energy production. The three main types of fossil fuels are:
- Coal: Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that is primarily used for electricity generation and steel production.
- Oil: Oil is a liquid fossil fuel that is used for transportation, heating, and the production of plastics.
- Natural Gas: Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel that is used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
Nuclear Fuels[edit | edit source]
Nuclear fuels like uranium and thorium are also considered non-renewable resources. They are used in nuclear power plants to produce electricity.
Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
The extraction and use of non-renewable resources have significant environmental impacts. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to air pollution, global warming, and climate change. Mining activities can lead to land degradation and biodiversity loss.
Conservation[edit | edit source]
Conservation of non-renewable resources involves reducing consumption, increasing efficiency, and developing renewable energy sources. Strategies for conservation include energy efficiency, recycling, and the use of alternative energy sources.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This environment-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
